The Tyler's Place Podcast

From the Master of Kadosh (July, 2015)

Let Freedom Ring!

Brother George Washington once said, “The preservation of the sacred fire of liberty and the destiny of the republican model of government are justly considered... deeply, ...finally, staked on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people.” As we know, on July 4, 1776, the thirteen colonies claimed their independence from England, an event which eventually led to the formation of the United States. Each year on July 4th, also known as Independence Day, we celebrate this historic event. So I will remind you that, in the 32nd Degree, you said you would “demand for the people a free voice and vote in public affairs” and that you yourself would be free and remain absolute master of your own voice, vote, and opinion. Let us continue to exercise those

freedoms.

For a bit of “July” Masonic history/trivia, on July 1st, 1989 (not that long ago), the Grand Lodge of Hawaii was organized. You could ask MW Leo Mark about that. On July 4th, 1781, Robert Burns received his 1st Degree. On July 19th, 1901, Sir Winston Churchill received his 2nd Degree in Studholme Lodge No. 1591 in London. And, having quoted Brother Washington above, I should mention that on July 29th, 1758, the Grand Lodge of Scotland granted a charter to Fredericksburg Lodge in Virginia, the Lodge that conferred the Masonic degrees on George Washington in 1752 and 1753. Obviously there are other Masonic events of note that have happened in July. Hopefully, you find these I mentioned to be of interest.

Our Scottish Rite Clinics make a difference in this world. As a “prompt” to remind you to generously support our Clinic, I’d like to relate the following story:

A young and successful executive was travelling down a neighborhood street, going a bit too fast in his new Jaguar. He was watching for kids darting out from between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something. As his car passed, no children appeared. Instead, a rock smashed into the Jag's side door.

He slammed on the brakes and spun the Jag back to the spot from where the rock had been thrown. He jumped out of the car, grabbed the kid and pushed him up against a parked car, shouting, “What was that all about and who are you?? Just what the heck are you doing?” Building up a head of steam, he went on. “That's a new car and that rock you threw is going to cost a lot of money. Why did you do it?”

“Please, mister, please, I'm sorry. I didn't know what else to do!” pleaded the youngster. “I threw the rock because no one else would stop.” Tears were dripping down the boy's chin as he pointed around the parked car. “It's my brother,” he said. “He rolled off the curb and fell out of his wheelchair and I can't lift him up.” Sobbing, the boy asked the executive, “Would you please help me get him back into his wheelchair? He's hurt and he's too heavy for me.”

The driver tried to swallow the rapidly swelling lump in his throat. He lifted the young man back into the wheelchair and took out his handkerchief and wiped the scrapes and cuts, checking to see that everything was going to be okay. “Thank you, sir. And God bless you,” the grateful child said to him.

The man then watched the little boy push his brother to the sidewalk toward their home. He took his time walking back to his Jaguar... a long, slow walk. He never did repair the side door. He kept the dent to remind him not to go through life so fast that someone has to throw a rock at you to get your attention.

To quote Henry David Thoreau, “It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see.” And someone else once said, “Being good is commendable, but only when it is combined with doing good is it useful.” Join us.